Description

Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management.^[18][19][20] It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), modified with a side chain.^[21][22] It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally.^{[23][12][13][14]} It is sold under the brand names Ozempic^[12] and Rybelsus^[13] for diabetes, and under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss.^[14]

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.^[12][13][14] The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.^{[12][15][16][17][24]}

It was approved for medical use in the US in 2017.^[12][25] In 2021, it was the 90th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.^[26][27]

Medical uses[edit]

Semaglutide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.^[12][13]

The higher-dose formulation of semaglutide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for long-term weight management in adults with obesity (initial body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²) or who are overweight (initial BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) and have at least one weight-related comorbidity.^[14][17][28] Oral semaglutide is marketed in three strengths: 3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg. The subcutaneous injection of semaglutide is available in four strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2 mg, and 2.4 mg.^[14]

Eating disorders[edit]

Semaglutide and similar drugs, such as dulaglutide and liraglutide, have been used to treat binge eating disorder (BED), as they can successfully minimize obsessive thoughts about food and binging urges.^[29][30] Some users of these drugs have reported significant reduction in what is colloquially known as “food noise” (constant, unstoppable thoughts about eating despite not being physically hungry), which can be a factor of BED.^[31][32]